Norovirus on Cruises: Essential Tips for Senior Travelers

MORE TIME TO TRAVEL

Getting sick during travel is always unpleasant. It can spoil your time off whether you’re on land or at sea, though becoming ill aboard a cruise ship might be even more miserable.

Indeed, I’m not mistaken. The frequency of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships has increased in recent years.

Every time I come across a news story about a norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship, I get concerned thinking about my future vacation at sea. Should I go ahead with it or not?

Numerous tales tell of travelers contracting norovirus, feeling extremely ill, being restricted to their cabins, obtaining medical care at the ship’s sickbay, and sometimes needing emergency medical evacuation.

Adding insult to injury, passengers miss out on the enjoyment of the cruise. They can also find themselves saddled with exorbitant medical bills if they don’t have adequate travel insurance or their health insurer doesn’t cover healthcare at sea.

USA Today

Recently reported that almost 150 cruise passengers and staff fell ill due to gastrointestinal issues across three vessels. The affected ships belong to Holland America.

Eurodam

, the Holland America Zuiderdam, and Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic

Sea Lion)

enhanced their sanitation protocols.

So far, this totals up to the

overall count of notified clusters concerning digestive system illnesses

On cruise ships, there will be 16 outbreaks predicted for 2025, affecting nine distinct cruise lines. In contrast, a total of 18 outbreaks occurred throughout 2024, with just 14 happening the previous year.

Essentials About Norovirus: Information for Senior Cruise Travelers

Here are the key points every seasoned traveler should be aware of regarding norovirus:

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a widespread and easily spread virus leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

The initial variant of the virus was discovered in 1968 following an epidemic at an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio. Consequently, it was dubbed the “Norwalk virus.” However, it is commonly known by different terms such as Norovirus, a “stomach bug,” or “stomach flu.”

How Common Is Norovirus?

The CDC reports that approximately 2,500 norovirus outbreaks occur each year across the United States.

Even though the virus typically isn’t serious, it leads to about 900 fatalities annually in the U.S., primarily affecting adults aged 65 and older.

Where and How Is It Spreading?

The norovirus disseminates quickly, moving from someone who is infected to others via contact with tainted sustenance, liquids, items, or surfaces.

Large gatherings of individuals in confined spaces increase the likelihood of outbreaks. Such settings include hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, childcare centers, banquet venues, and cruise ships.

Less than 1 percent of all cases can be attributed to cruise ships.

As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus is more

common during the colder season

From November through April, this period occurs in nations located above the equator, whereas from May to September, it affects countries situated below the equatorial line.

What Are the Signs of Norovirus? How Long Do These Symptoms Persist?

Norovirus is quite an unpleasant germ. Symptoms may encompass nausea, throwing up, abdominal pain, and loose stools. Additionally, it might bring about mild fevers, shivers, and muscle pains, making individuals feel extremely unwell.

The diagnosis typically relies on the symptoms; however, stool tests may be employed to verify the condition.

The virus usually persists from 24 to 48 hours, though it frequently endures longer in elderly individuals or those with an impaired immune system. Individuals may continue to spread the infection for a minimum of three days following their recovery, occasionally even more.

How is Norovirus treated?

There isn’t a particular medication for treating the virus; typically, it improves and goes away on its own after several days.

Rather than focusing on curing, the priority when looking after an individual infected with the virus is to manage their symptoms and prevent complications, particularly severe dehydration.

The

National Institutes of Health’s National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIDDKD) recommends:

Consuming ample liquids to avoid dehydration and the depletion of electrolytes.
Getting adequate rest.
In certain instances, using non-prescription medications for diarrhea and/or fever may be appropriate.
Change your eating habits by following a BRAT diet—which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—and steer clear of dairy products.

In cases where there are indications of severe dehydration or presence of blood in the stool, the affected person should seek medical attention from a doctor for appropriate care.

Is It Possible to Prevent the Spread of Norovirus on Cruise Ships?

Stopping norovirus or minimizing its transmission on cruise ships necessitates collaboration among governments, cruise companies, and travelers.

The

USA Today

The article indicates that a novel norovirus strain has emerged onshore and is expected to soon reach cruise ships.

Moreover, this year’s draconian cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services may diminish the efficacy of CDC surveillance programs. In April 2025, the CDC fired all 200 staff members at the
Division of Environmental Health and Practices Sciences
which manages the Vessel Sanitation Program.

Do Older Cruise Passengers Face Higher Risks of Contracting Norovirus?

The short answer: Yes.

“It truly can impact anyone, but those at the very young and very old ends of the age range face the highest danger,” stated Dr. Robyn F. Chapman, MD, MPH, a family physician based in Cincinnati, in an AMA-published piece focusing on norovirus.

For elderly individuals, Chatman links the increased risk to diminished immune function and greater health problems.

How Can Senior Travellers Protect Themselves From Norovirus?

Suggesting I avoid cruising won’t work for me. Instead, here’s what we could consider doing:

Maintain a balanced view of news reports.

Norovirus can appear everywhere. Nevertheless, we often hear about it aboard cruise ships because of the stringent reporting obligations imposed by the CDC.

Vessels participating in the Vessel Sanitation Program are required to notify authorities of outbreaks whenever 3% or more of the passengers or crew members experience gastrointestinal symptoms as reported to the ship’s medical personnel.

Maintain proper handwashing hygiene both on board and ashore.

Frequently cleanse your hands, particularly prior to consuming food or following use of the restroom. It’s become routine for me to wash up each time I go into or out of my cabin or step into an eatery area.

Avoid shaking hands with every person you encounter aboard the vessel.

Don’t touch surfaces unnecessarily.

Utilize hand sanitizer when soap and water are not accessible (such as during a shore excursion), however keep in mind that soap and water provide better cleansing compared to sanitizers.

Steer clear of touching your face (including eyes, nose, or mouth) without cause.

Stay healthy.

Ensure you get ample sleep both prior to and during your journey to strengthen your immune system.

Stay hydrated.

Avoid spreading the virus intentionally.

Should you experience symptoms, isolate yourself and inform the vessel’s medical staff.

Select your cruise line carefully.

You must rely on the cruise line and staff to stop the virus via thorough cleaning and sanitization and minimize its spread once it happens. Therefore, be cautious when selecting your cruise operator.

Before booking, make sure to review this information.
Vessel Sanitation Program website
, which remained functional at the time of writing this post.

There is no scientific proof backing up my concerns, yet I prefer smaller vessels with less crowded passenger areas and ample communal spaces over those gigantic cruise liners.

Elderly Individuals and Norovirus: The Main Point

A comprehensive analysis synthesizing multiple research studies

norovirus in older adults

discovered that this group has an increased likelihood of experiencing severe norovirus symptoms and complications.

Complications

may encompass sepsis, aspiration pneumonia, and cardiac incidents.)

Significantly, about 90% of norovirus-related deaths in the U.S. happen in people who are 65 years old and older. Those aged 85 and up face the highest risk, although hospitals and nursing homes are typically where such fatal cases are most prevalent.

Elderly individuals possess less robust immune systems and are more prone to experiencing severe symptoms, increasing their vulnerability to quick dehydration.

Nevertheless, each form of travel comes with distinct hazards, and the likelihood of catching norovirus during a cruise is minimal, particularly for seniors who are reasonably healthy. Often, these chances can be reduced significantly through heightened awareness and preventive measures.